Discover Your Mind On Film

Welcome to Psychology In Film! Here, you will learn how aspects of the human mind inform how movies are made and how the mind is represented on film. For a quick look at what Psychology In Film is all about, check out the introductory video below! For a breakdown of the site's structure, check out the site outline that follows.

Site Breakdown

Normal PsychologyThis section discusses how the human mind functions under normal conditions, and how psychology influences how films are made. Sub-topics under this page are as follows:

Psychology 101: A crash course in the fundamental concepts of psychology. Provides a brief summary of the material covered in an introductory psychology course (excluding mental illness, psychopathology, and treatment).

The Audience: An exploration of the possible thought process behind filmmakers' biggest decisions. Discusses how characters and stories are designed to appeal to movie-goers, and how film structure differs by the intended audience.

Abnormal Psychology (Coming Soon!)This section addresses the representation of mental institutions and illness in film. Sub-topics under this page are as follows:

History of Psychology in Film: A brief history of abnormal psychology in film. Outlines trends in the portrayals of mental institutions, treatments, and various psychological disorders. Briefly explains the psychopathology of these disorders.

Character Case Studies: A peek into the minds of the most famous mentally ill characters in cinematic history. Analyzes how each character's "symptoms" contribute to their respective films and provides a diagnosis based on these symptoms.

Spoiler Free: A spoiler free version of "Abnormal Psychology." This section presents the same material as "History of Psychology in Film" and "Character Case Studies," but excludes discussion of movies or plot points where mental illness is the "twist" in the story.